Winter Wonderland
by Karen Straits

EMAIL: rstra1028@aol.com
STATUS: Complete
CATEGORY/RATING: G, light angst, crossover references and Mary Sues!
SPOILERS: I don't think so, but if you find something let me know.
SUMMARY: Christmas challenge 2000. Daniel and Janet take a walk in the woods.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own them, just borrowed them because they needed to get out, dammit! I will return them happy and well loved. So i am asking *nicely* MGM, Gekko Corp., and Double Secret Productions not to sue me and my cats. *bats big blue eyes* I have made no money whatsoever on this little piece of fluff.
WARNING: thar be Mary Sue's ahead and cross-over references. Time lines will not coincide, but hey, its fiction!
(C) November 2000
(C) August 2001
DEDICATION: This story is dedicated to Suzie Bagley. I can't even find the words to express my gratitude and appreciation for all that she has done for me and this story. Whether it was kicking my butt into gear, being extremely patient, *plus* being the best beta i have ever had! Anything in this story that is good or correct is attributed to her. Anthing bad or wrong belongs to me only! Thanks also to Bryn and Becca for the kind words, you gals rock!

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Prologue
***********

The two angels looked down at the mountain and shook their heads at all the fuss being made for the holiday season. It was total mayhem as people scurried to and fro trying to complete last minute shopping, trying to keep their Christmas spirit and failing miserably.

Both angels were intently scanning the crowd as if they were searching for someone. The tall one gently tapped the short one on the shoulder. "There she is!"

"Praise be! These angel eyes aren't what they used to be. I thought we were never going to find her in this crowd."

Chera looked down fondly at her friend. "I know, dear, but now that we've found her we can get to work."

"So what's the plan? Lock them together in a supply closet? Maybe an injury, some good old-fashioned blood and gore...you know, the trinity of hurt, comfort, and angst." Janeene hopped excitedly from one foot to another on the fluffy cloud.

Chera shook her head, her light gray hair floating about her head like a halo. "No, dear, nothing quite so dramatic!" At the disappointed look on her friend's face, she hastily added, "Well, maybe a little light angst. We just want to give them a little helpful push towards each other."

Both angels turned back towards the view of the pretty redhead as she sat by herself at a small table in a cafe. A cup of tea was sitting in front of her, growing cold as she sat lost in thought.

"She looks so sad."

"That's because she is. She's feeling lonely. Christmas can be hard for people sometimes."

"No one should feel that way, especially at this time of year!" Janeene declared stoutly.

Chera smiled. "You're right about that. Now let's get to work, we have a lot to do before the party."

As their bodies faded into wherever it was angels go when they have things to do, Janeene's voice floated in the air, "Do you think they'll have lime chips and salsa at the party? They're my favorite......"

************************************************************************

Janet breathed a small sigh. Taking a sip of her tea, she grimaced at the now tepid drink. 'Well that's what I get for staring off into space like a lunkhead.' Watching the crowd of shoppers milling about just intensified her sense of isolation. She really should have waited for Sam to join her; all she was doing was feeling sorry for herself. She watched a couple in front of her hold hands and whisper to each other, laughing as they walked through the mall.

She gave herself a firm mental shake. 'Snap out of it, Fraiser! This is getting you nowhere fast, and you have lots of shopping left to do.' She pulled her list out of her purse, and started checking off names.

She was almost finished with Cassandra's gifts. 'You are so fortunate to have such a beautiful daughter, and a great job. Even if you can't tell anyone just exactly what you do on a daily basis,' she scolded herself. Going down the list she checked off Sam, Jack, and Teal'c. Suddenly, she stopped when she reached Daniel's name.

Putting her chin in her hand, she just looked at his name. She lightly traced his name over and over with her pen until it stared up at her in bold relief. 'There's your problem,' she thought wryly. 'One keenly intelligent mind wrapped up in classic good looks and boyish enthusiasm, and clear blue eyes that invited you to join in whatever was going on.'

As she nibbled on her pen, she let her thoughts drift. What would be the perfect gift for a perfect archeologist? An image of herself wrapped in a red bow and nothing else flashed through her mind. She giggled, picturing the look of terror on Daniel's face. "As if," she mumbled to herself.

"As if what, Janet?"

"Sam! What are you doing here?"

The pretty blonde slid into a chair across from her. "I finished up early and thought I would try and find you. Even if I didn't, I figured I could still get some shopping in." Peering down at the list in front of Janet, she asked, "What's that?"

"Er... Nothing, just some ideas for Christmas." Janet quickly slid the piece of paper into her purse, hoping Sam hadn't caught sight of Daniel's name and the little hearts she had doodled around it while daydreaming.

"So, what are you wearing to the SGC Christmas party?"

Janet hesitated before answering. "Actually, I was thinking of not going at all."

"Not going! *Why*?" Sam had a distressed look on her face.

Not sure how much she should say, Janet continued, "It's been so hectic the past month, what with the infirmary being jam-packed with patients and getting ready for the holidays." She saw Sam open her mouth to say something and plowed on, "I'm just run- down and thought I'd take it easy for the rest of the month."

Sam just stared at her for a long moment. "I know the past few months have been tough for you and you've been a little down, haven't you?"

Janet looked down at the table, not wanting to meet Sam's eyes. Sam went on, her voice gentle. "Is it because of Daniel?"

Janet's head snapped up. "How did you?.... What makes you think that's the reason?"

"C'mon, what kind of best friend would I be if I didn't notice a little thing like you being in love with Daniel?" Her gaze was knowing, with a teasing kindness.

Sam smiled as Janet gaped at her. Janet started to protest, but she stopped when she saw Sam wasn't buying it. Slumping down in her chair, she groaned, "Is it that obvious? I am *so* embarrassed!"

"Don't be, and no, it's not obvious. I just know you too well. I noticed you weren't acting like yourself so I started observing and put two and two together. I'm not your average Doctor/Major." Wiggling her eyebrows, she got a laugh out of Janet. "That's better!"

Janet shook her head at her friend's theatrics as Sam leaned in to whisper, "I think he has feelings for you too!" Sam sat back with a small look of triumph as she gauged Janet's reaction.

Janet felt hopeful and sick at the same time. "God! I feel like I'm in high school again."

"So you'll come to the party?"

"Gee, Sam, I don't know. I had planned on just staying at home, recharging the old mental batteries. Some down time, you know?"

Sam leaned her elbows on the table. "I do know you've have been working too hard lately, and sitting at home being isolated from the people who care for you, is *not* the solution!"

"I just don't think I would be very good company right now. I'm tired and cranky and being around Daniel is getting to be a struggle. He doesn't see me as anything other than a friend, regardless of what you think, Sam."

Sam leaned forward again with a glint to her eyes. Janet wondered for a moment if she should be frightened. "C'mon then, Dr. Carter has the perfect cure for those holiday blues." Sam quickly stood and gathered the bags scattered around Janet's feet.

"Where are we going?" Janet asked as she grabbed her purse and the last of the bags.

"You'll see," Sam answered with an air of mystery. "Trust me!"

Janet had just enough time to wonder if she should go back to being frightened before Sam took her arm and steered her through the mall.

************************************************************************

The party was in full swing. People were talking and laughing, becoming boisterous with the Christmas spirit that was being liberally poured into their glasses. Children ran in small packs, stopping to stare at the huge, decorated tree in the great room. The party was being held at a lodge nestled at the foot of a mountain, the powers that be thinking it would be a nice change to have the festivities off base.

Janet stood against the back wall, away from the crowd. Unaware of the admiring glances being sent her way, she nervously smoothed down the fabric of her coat. Sam's idea of a cure for the blues was time spent at a day spa being pampered in luxurious style. The Major had argued that they both deserved it for working so hard and that it was their Christmas gift to themselves.

She certainly couldn't argue with Sam's bedside manner.

The visit had ended with shopping in the exclusive boutique on the premises and getting their hair and makeup professionally done. Sam had bought a green dress that was tight in all the right places while Janet had found a silk shantung pantsuit with a mandarin collar in a beautiful icy gray lavender that reflected the light. A white silk shirt with ruffled cuffs and boots completed the outfit.

When they'd finished, Sam had dragged her to the mirror and pushed her in front of it.

Janet had stared in wonder at the stranger in the mirror. Her makeup was minimal, with a slight glimmer of frost, making her brown eyes stand out. The hairdresser had swept her hair off her face to fall down her back in a tumble of soft curls. Small crystals scattered through her hair completed the simple, elegant look.

Sam came to stand beside Janet, interrupting her train of thought. "The guys should be here any minute."

"I don't know why I let you talk me into this," Janet grumbled.

"Oh for cryin' out loud! Will you just relax and enjoy yourself," Sam quietly scolded her friend. "I know you're nervous about seeing Daniel, but you're going to have fun even if I have to... " Sam stopped in the middle of her harangue. "There they are now."

Both turned to watch the men of SG-1 walk toward them.

*****

O'Neill, Daniel, and Teal'c walked through the crowd, stopping to say hello and shake hands with various people. SG-1 was well-known and well-liked at the SGC so everyone wanted to talk with them and wish them a merry Christmas.

"Look, there's Carter and the Doc." Jack led the way as Daniel waved at them. Coming to stand beside them, Jack ran an appreciative eye over both women. With a rakish air, he said, "May I say you two look especially lovely tonight." His eyes kept straying to Sam.

"Thank you, Sir. That's kind of you to say so, isn't it, Janet?" There was no answer. Jack watched Sam nudge Janet with her elbow.

"Oh!... Yes, kind of you."

'The Doc really needs to take a break,' Jack thought. 'She looks a little out of it.'

*****

Janet's heart fluttered as she watched Daniel cross the room. 'He looks so handsome,' she thought wistfully. For that matter, so did Teal'c and the colonel. Daniel wore a charcoal gray suit with a black turtleneck underneath. O'Neill had on dress slacks with a green sweater and the leather jacket he wore all the time. Teal'c was similarly dressed, only without a jacket and his sweater was blue.

She felt Sam touch her arm. Snapping out of it, she replied, "Oh!...Yes, kind of you." That was all she needed, to be busted for gawking like a love struck teenager. She pasted a smile on her face as she pulled herself together. "You guys look great too."

*****

Daniel stood to the side, listening to the others make small talk, tongue-tied at how beautiful Janet looked. He watched her face as she laughed at something Jack said. 'I wish she would smile at me like that. Oh well, at least I get to spend some time with her outside of work.' Tuning back in to the conversation, he heard Janet ask Teal'c if they had similar customs on Chulak.

*****

"We have festivals and holidays, Doctor Fraiser, but nothing like this. O'Neill has been teaching me songs of celebration for this festival. I will demonstrate."

Three faces looked expectantly at him as Jack tried to get his attention. "Uh, Teal'c, I don't think now is the time for this."

Teal'c drew a deep breath and began to sing in a pleasant voice, "Jingle Bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg." He stopped, seeing the look of confusion on their faces. "Ah, perhaps you do not know this one, I will sing another."

Jack made a strangled noise in his throat. "Teal'c!"

"Do not worry, O'Neill, I am sure they know this one." He proceeded to sing again, "We three drunks from Omaha are, spending Christmas Eve in a car, drinking, driving~"

"Jack!" "Sir!" Three pairs of eyes glared at O'Neill as he threw up his hands defensively.

"Hey, Kids, I was just having a little fun," he started to defend himself when he was interrupted.

"Ho, Ho, Ho! Is someone here being naughty?"

Daniel looked closely at Santa's face. "General Hammond, Sir?"

Hammond pulled his beard down slightly and winked at Daniel. "That's Santa Claus to you, son." Whispering to O'Neill, he said, "It looks like you need someone to pull you out of the fire."

"Yes, Sir! Thank you, Sir!"

"Don't thank me yet, son. You don't know what I want you to do. You are going to be Santa's helper. I have to face a room full of kids who have had nothing but sugar tonight, and you are going to be my elf."

Jack muttered, "I'd rather face Apophis and a whole squad of Jaffa than a bunch of kids hopped up on candy!"

"What was that, Colonel?"

"Nothing, Sir! Lead the way." Noticing the grin on Sam's face, he decided to pull rank. "Seeing as you find this so amusing, Carter, *you* can be my elf." He stopped, wondering if that sounded as suggestive as he thought it did.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Sir."

Shaking his head, he made to follow the Gen~er, Santa.

Teal'c, meanwhile, was observing Hammond's outfit with interest. "General Hammond, I would like to observe this ritual of children and sugar."

"Of course, son. The more the merrier."

Straightening his shoulders, Jack gave the command. "Alright, campers, let's move out."

Sam was trying to mouth something to Janet while making gestures with her hands.

"Carter."

"Yes, Sir, I'm coming."

They walked out of the room, leaving Daniel and Janet alone.

*****

Janet watched Sam and the others leave with a faint sense of alarm. Sam was mouthing the words 'talk to him' and making 'go on' signals with her hands. The feeling of alarm quickly turned into panic. 'Talk to him,' she says. 'Just what am I supposed to say to him?'

"Um, nice party, isn't it."

"Yes, it is," Daniel replied. Janet glanced at him, then quickly looked away. They both stood there in awkward silence.

'Great, that's just great, Janet. Why don't you make a comment about the weather while you're at it.' She scanned the room in desperation. Would it be too much to hope someone was choking on a Swedish meatball and needed a doctor? No such luck.

Maybe terrorists would burst through the door. She perked up at the thought. With SG-1's luck, said terrorists would be showing up any time now. She stopped, shocked at herself and what she was thinking. 'Get a grip. Just relax and be natural; he's your friend.'

Taking a deep breath, she turned and gave Daniel a brilliant smile.

*****

Daniel was admiring Janet's profile, liking the way the lights from the tree reflected on her creamy skin. The crystals in her hair sparkled as they caught the light. She was a beautiful woman, on the inside and out. Daniel knew he cared deeply for her, might even love her.

He wanted to explore his feelings, but he was afraid, afraid of rejection and being hurt. It had been a long road back from his wife's death. Jack had suggested he ask Janet out to dinner, take it slow. As Jack had pointed out, most of their quality time consisted of Daniel lying in an infirmary bed with Janet as his doctor.

Daniel shook his head slightly. Standing here and thinking about it was getting him nowhere. It was now or never. Gathering his courage, he opened his mouth to ask her. "Janet, would you..." he barely had the words out when she turned and gave him a blinding smile. He faltered and lost his nerve. "Would you like a drink?"

"That would be great, thank you."

He gave her a weak smile. "Okay, I'll be right back." As he made his way across the room, though, he was actually thinking, 'You idiot!'

************************************************************************

Chera and Janeene watched Daniel Jackson work his way through the crowd. "Oh, Chera, he was so close to asking her!"

"I know, but take heart. That's why we're here, to give them a push."

"How about a shove? At the rate they're going, we will be here for an eternity."

"Janeene!"

The tall angel looked reproachfully at her friend. Janeene muttered, "Well, it's true." Then, in the same breath, she went on, "I'm sorry. I'm just anxious at how all this is going to turn out."

With a slightly mollified look on her face, Chera nodded at her. "I'm nervous too. We should be starting phase one any moment."

"So who's the vict...um, person you've selected?"

Chera pointed to a tall, slender woman with black hair and sparkling blue eyes. "Her name is Cheryl Bennett and she is a nurse at the SGC infirmary. Her friend is an instructor at the Air Force Academy."

Both angels floated closer so they could hear the two women talk.

*****

Major Karen Hackworth was listening to her friend talk about her date.

"So how did you two meet again?" she asked.

"It was the strangest thing, K. I was visiting some friends in Cascade, and we went to a basketball game to see the Jags. Next thing I know, there was some wacko spouting 'God bless America,' with guns, no less. I thought we were going to die, then the scoreboard fell to the middle of the court."

Karen just shook her head in disbelief. It sounded like something from the UPN network-- Bullets and Babes. The small blonde shook her head again and laughed.

"After it was over, I offered my services as a nurse and met him as we were helping people out of the stadium. He's a consultant for the Cascade P.D. He's on holiday and came to visit for a couple of days."

The angels exchanged glances. "Hey, aren't we going to Cascade next?" whispered Janeene.

"Yes." Chera motioned for Janeene to be quiet. "It's almost time and I have to concentrate."

"I still don't see why you get to do this part. I want to have fun too!"

Chera looked exasperated. "I seem to recall you getting to kiss the Mountie on the Chicago job, plus the cop, what was his name again?"

"Vecchio," answered the angel in a dreamy voice.

"Exactamundo! Your part in phase two is very important, more so than mine. Think of all the Dan and Jan shippers out there whose happiness depends on you. Now heads up! Dr. Jackson will be passing by any moment."

*****

At that moment, Daniel was expounding on the history of the ancient Druids and mistletoe to the bartender as he waited for his drinks. The topic came about in response to the kissing balls placed strategically throughout the lodge. He made a remark while he looked around the room with interest.

"They weren't taking any chances, were they? There's mistletoe everywhere!"

The bartender laughed as she set two frothy, cranberry-colored drinks down in front of him. With a sly grin, she said, "Surely there's a lady here you'd like to get under the kissing ball?" She noted with interest the slight blush on Daniel's face. "Alright, which one is she?" She scanned the room.

"Well...Um." Daniel's eyes darted to where Janet was standing by the tree.

"Wow! She's really pretty. How long have you two been going out?"

"She's not my...that is, we're not dating."

As if she knew they were talking about her, Janet looked over at the bar. Catching sight of Daniel, she smiled at him as their gaze caught and held. Daniel felt his stomach do little flip-flops. He grabbed his two drinks and said, "Would you excuse me? I have some unfinished business to take care of."

"Sure, Doc, no problem." She winked at him. "Good luck!"

Daniel gave a mumbled 'Thanks' as he blushed an even brighter red. He balanced the drinks carefully in his hands and started to make his way back towards Janet.

*****

Janet stood in the middle of a small group of people. She was popular among the staff of the SGC, not only for her medical skills, but also for her sharp sense of humor. They were all laughing at the story she had just told concerning Maybourne and a huge needle. Amid the calls for more anecdotes, she watched Daniel cross the room and decided to meet him halfway. She made her excuses as she walked toward him, promising more later in the evening.

Janet chuckled to herself. She was actually enjoying the party. 'Sam was right,' she thought. 'I just need to relax and not worry about my feelings for Daniel.' As she walked towards him, she came up behind Cheryl and her friend.

The three vict...um, people were in position, right where they were supposed to be. Phase one was about to start.

*****

Two pairs of bright eyes watched Janet. "Closer... closer...Almost there..." Janeene muttered under her breath.

"Time to be touched by an angel," Chera said with a straight face.

Janeene groaned and rolled her eyes. "You just had to say that, didn't you?"

"What?" the tall angel demanded. "It's the truth!"

"Yes, but do you have to be so hokey about it?"

"I happen to *like* that sh....Nevermind! Wish me luck."

Chera floated past Janet. Daniel navigated through the crowd, smiling at Cheryl as he made to go by her. That's when it happened. The angel started to turn misty and enveloped the SGC nurse. With a slight pop, she entered the girl's body and took control.

*****

Cheryl smiled back at Dr. Jackson as he walked by. He was a nice man, even if he was a bit accident-prone. Good-looking, too. She started to say something to Karen when she felt the room spin for a moment. She blinked; that was strange. When did it get so hot in here?

She turned around as if her body wasn't her own. It was like she was there but she wasn't as she opened her mouth. "Dr. Jackson!"

*****

Daniel turned, a smile still on his face. Suddenly, hands reached out and grabbed him by the lapels of his coat. Startled, he gave a small cry of protest as a pair of lips hungrily devoured his. He tried to pull back while still holding the two drinks. Twisting his head, his glasses askew, he sputtered, "Wha... What are you doing?" He stepped back. "Stop it, now!"

Daniel tried to think of a way to pry the clinging octopus off of him. He handed the drinks over to Karen, who had a shocked look on her face. "Do you mind? Thank you." He grasped Cheryl's shoulders and held her at arms length. He took a breath and froze as he heard Janet's voice behind him.

"Why Daniel, I didn't know Cheryl was your date tonight."

*****

Janet would have laughed at the tableau in front of her, but her heart had other ideas. It was as if a bad play had come to life. Everyone just stared at each other, too shocked to say anything. Janet tried to school the hurt look on her face into a smooth mask, but her voice came out sounding brittle to her own ears. "Well, I guess I'll leave you two alone. Enjoy the party."

She hesitated briefly as she heard Daniel's voice calling after her. She just needed a moment to compose herself. She could do this.

Why then did it feel like someone had reached in and tied her heart into knots?

*****

"Well, I guess I'll leave you two alone. Enjoy the party."

Daniel suddenly realized he still had Cheryl by the arms and the picture it must have posed. He let go of her as if he'd been burned and said, "Janet, wait! It's not what you think!" He saw her pause for a moment, then disappear into the crowd before he had a chance to finish.

"Blast!" He ran his fingers through his hair. He needed to find her and explain what happened....just what the hell *had* happened, anyway? Daniel heard a small pop and turned around to face the two women.

Cheryl was standing there with the strangest look on her face. She put a hand to her forehead. "What happened?"

Karen and Daniel exchanged a bemused glance.

"What happened?! Don't you remember?" The small blonde shook her head in amazement. "You just landed a lip lock on Dr. Jackson that could ignite wet wood!" She put her hands on her hips and gave Cheryl an exasperated look.

"I don't know what to say other than sorry and blame it on the mistletoe? "All three looked up at the empty ceiling. Cheryl gave a weak smile as two sets of blue eyes turned back to her. "Doc, I didn't mean to cause any trouble, honest! I don't know what came over me."

For some reason, Daniel believed her. "It's okay, Cheryl." He squeezed her shoulder briefly. "Maybe you should sit down; you look a little peaky."

"I think I will. Again, I am so sorry!"

"C'mon, Cheryl, let's go." Karen turned back to Daniel. "What are you waiting for? An engraved invitation?" She grinned at the look on his face before giving him a small salute. "Go find her!"

************************************************************************

Sam had to admit it, Jack O'Neill could be downright entertaining when he wanted. Right now he was playing storyteller to an enthralled group of party revelers. With hand gestures and an animated look on his face, he told of his adventure with Santa Hammond and the kids.

She shook her head. To hear him tell it, it may as well have been a squad of Jaffa in his tale, not a group of rambunctious children. ' Oh brother, what a ham! A *Christmas* ham at that.' She snickered at the thought of Jack trussed up with an apple in his mouth.

Teal'c lifted his eyebrow at her and she laughed out loud. How could she explain what she was thinking, much less make sense of it? Teal'c was just so, so literal at times. Sam was wondering if she should even try explaining it to Teal'c when Daniel walked up to them looking slightly lost.

"Hey, Guys." Daniel had a forlorn expression on his face.

"DanielJackson, what is wrong?"

"Uh, long story," he replied as he scanned the room. "Have you guys seen Janet?"

"No, we haven't....Wait a minute! We left you two together." Sam narrowed her eyes at him. "Daniel, what's going on?" she said in a tone that brooked no nonsense.

Daniel sighed. "Well, Sam, it's like this," he said, his words stringing together in a jumbled manner. "Janet saw me kissing Cheryl Bennett..." He stopped as she glared at him.

"Go on."

He gulped, the words tumbling out faster as Sam's glare became fiercer. "Well she...That is...What I meant to say...Cheryl kissed me, Janet saw it and nowIcan'tfindher." Daniel squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the verbal, or --God forbid-- physical lashing from the Major. After all, she *was* Janet's best friend.

*****

O'Neill noticed that his 2IC did not look at all happy. He finished his story and sauntered over to stand next to Teal'c. Listening to Daniel try and explain, he leaned over to the Jaffa and whispered, "How does he do it? Is it the hair? It can't be the glasses, can it?" Jack would never in a million years understand the appeal that Daniel had with women.

Teal'c had a look on his face, the one that seemed to say "Humans!"

"What do you mean, you can't find her?" Sam demanded.

Daniel hunched his shoulders, hands up, eyes going wide. He was trying to explain what happened and Sam wasn't making it easy.

"Since when are you and Cheryl Bennett dating?" Sam glared harder, if that were possible.

"We're not! If you would just let me finish explaining...." Daniel sounded very frustrated. Jack figured now was the time to step in before things got ugly. Daniel had the classic deer in headlights look, and that meant nervous babbling. Which, in turn, meant no more fun for Jack. "Oh, for crying out loud, Carter! Cut Danny some slack, alright?"

Daniel looked relieved as he said, "Thanks, Jack."

"So what if Daniel was kissing a pretty girl? It's Christmas, after all."

Sam and Daniel both shot him a dirty look. "But Sir!" "Jack, you're not helping me out here."

"So the Doc took off. I'm sure she's around here somewhere. What's the big deal, Carter?" He watched Sam bite her lip with an indecisive look on her face.

*****

Sam almost blurted out, "Because she's in love with Daniel, you idiot!" but instead she held her tongue. Janet would never forgive her; and besides, it wasn't her secret to tell. She took a deep breath to calm down. "I'm just being silly, I guess. Janet has been working so hard this past month that I practically had to drag her here tonight."

Jack replied, "I thought she was a little quiet tonight."

Sam smiled at him. "I just want her to have a good time with the people who care about her, you know? Relax and have some fun." She looked around the room again. "She couldn't have left, she rode with me."

Siler walked by, loaded down with drinks. Hearing Sam's last comment, he said, "Hey! Are you looking for Dr. Fraiser?"

Jack grinned as he grabbed a bottle of beer. "As a matter of fact, we are. Have you seen her?"

"Yes, Sir. I tried to get her to join us, but she had her coat on."

"So she did leave," Sam said, sounding slightly worried.

Siler offered a beer to Teal'c, who declined graciously. "Oh no, ma'am. She said she was just stepping out for some fresh air and would be back soon."

"I'm going to go check on her and make sure she is all right." Sam turned to leave but Daniel stopped her.

"Let me do it, okay, Sam? I'll bring her back in, I promise."

Sam hesitated; she didn't know if Janet would want to see Daniel right now. 'Oh oh, he's giving me the lost puppy eyes. I hate it when he does that!' "Well..."

Jack slung his arm around Siler's shoulder. "C'mon, Carter, let's help our buddy here carry drinks. Danny will be alright." As he and Siler started to walk away with Teal'c trailing behind them, Sam could hear O'Neill start round two of his story and the kids from hell.

She sighed; she had a feeling that particular story was going to get really old fast. Reluctantly, she turned back to Daniel. "Just make sure she's okay, but be subtle about it."

"Subtle, right. I can do that." Daniel didn't think he liked the disbelieving look on Sam's face. "I wonder why she left like that though? It's so unlike her."

Sam quickly steered the conversation away from that train of thought. "I told you, she's run-down. She probably just needed to get a moment of peace and quiet."

"I suppose you're right. We still friends?"

"Yeah, still friends. I'm sorry I overreacted like that." They both grinned at each other.

"Don't worry, Sam. I'll make sure she's all right."

Sam watched Daniel walk away. "I hope so," she whispered.

************************************************************************

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